Narcissus or Daffodil? 5 Favorites to Plant Now, Indoors or Out by Kendra Wilson

Narcissus or Daffodil? 5 Favorites to Plant Now, Indoors or Out by Kendra Wilson

I love narcissus but am not a big fan of daffodils. I particularly like Pheasant's Eye, or narcissus poeticus. Also known as the Poet's Daffodil. Confused? The first thing to clarify is that narcissus and daffodil are one and the same: The former is Latin and the latter is Common.

The daffodil that I can't get excited about is the bright yellow trumpet type, so ubiquitous in spring. The lovely ones, those with scent, or with shivery windswept petals, or with a small ruffled red-rimmed cup, they are all daffodils too but we call them narcissus because we prefer them. So, here are five of our favorites for planting indoors or out. Order your daffodil—make that narcissus—bulbs now.

Above: Classic Narcissus poeticus, which brings scent in May after the common or garden daffodils; photograph by Kendra Wilson.

Above: From the swept-back-petal group, cyclamineus, is the delightful, diminutive 'Mitzi'. For UK readers, the not dissimilar Narcissi Jenny is available from Sarah Raven; ten bulbs for £7.95. For US readers, the Narcissus Snipe is a beautiful option from White Flower Farm; six bulbs for $15.95. Photograph by Bertie Bainbridge via What Ho, HIdcote!.

It is pure white and highly highly scented, so would be perfect in a pot by a window or door; also naturalizes in grass. Narcissus 'Thalia' Bulbs are available from Crocus; £3.49 for ten. In the US, Narcissus 'Thalia' Bulbs are available from Van Engelen; 100 bulbs for $37.

Above: Narcissus 'Paperwhite'; Photograph by Kendra Wilson.

There are other daffodils to force indoors over the holidays, but nothing touches the paperwhite. The bulbs are programmed to bloom six weeks after flowering; keep them cool and give them a framework of twigs after planting the bulbs, as they do grow tall and they will flop. Paperwhite Ziva Bulbs are available from Crocus; 10 bulbs for £5.99. For US readers, Paperwhite Ziva Bulbs are 50 bulbs for $29.75 from Van Engelen.